click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Check the Cattery Caters to Your Cat’s Needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n You should check several aspects with the cattery to ensure your cat’s daily routine will be as similar to its home routine as possible. Of course, it will not be a mirror image, but keeping some things the same will help your cat adjust to its new environment. These aspects include catering to the cat’s litter, diet, and medication as required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cat Litter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n Cats are creatures of habit, so a change in cat litter can put them off using the litter tray. To avoid this, a lot of catteries will offer a selection of cat litter for the owner to choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Diet<\/h4>\n\n\n\n If you feed your cat a particular diet, discuss this when booking in. There are so many different types of cat food, but cat boarding establishments tend to carry a range of products to suit the different dietary needs of their residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also provide your own cat food if you prefer. If you do, ensure the cat food is clearly marked with your cat’s name and in an airtight container; this will help prevent the cattery from losing your cat’s food and keep it as fresh as possible. It is also vital to provide the correct amount to last the entire duration of the cat’s stay, so include feeding instructions. Do the same if you bring extra treats for the staff to feed your cat, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some cat hotels will ask the owner to bring the cat’s food bowl, although this is rare. You might want to bring it just in case.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMedication<\/h4>\n\n\n\n Similar to cat litter and diet, you should also discuss medication if your cat requires it regularly. Medication will usually be administered by staff members who are trained to do so, but the owner must provide clear instructions, including dosage, the timings to administer it, and any other information the cattery should know beforehand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Consider a Trial Stay in the Cattery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n A trial stay is a great idea if you are going to be away for a longer period or if this is your cat’s first experience with a boarding facility. Trial stays are usually only for a couple of nights to allow the cat to adjust and settle into the change of environment and routine. This is usually when the cattery is at its quietest and can be planned ahead of time with the help of staff members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the cat’s stay, ask staff members to keep a note of how your cat copes and its behaviour. As long as you choose a good cattery, you can put your worries to rest as you will see the standard of care your cat receives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If cattery staff do not allow trial visits, this can sometimes be a warning sign not to book your cat in. However, testing your cat’s reaction to staying in the cattery might not be possible due to availability or another plausible reason. If a trial stay is not possible for a good reason, make sure you visit the cattery before your cat’s stay to check the facilities are up to scratch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7. Bring Items from Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n To reduce the stress your cat might feel in a cattery, you can ask staff if you can bring items from the home environment. This is one of the downsides of a cattery as a professional pet sitter would allow the cat to stay in its own environment, but a cattery will be filled with new scents. Because of this, many catteries recommend bringing items with familiar scents to make the cat’s stay more enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The best items to bring include the cat’s bed, its favourite toys, something with the owner’s scent on it, and some treats. Even though the cattery might provide bedding and toys, items from home will help the feline feel more relaxed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
8. Ask for Regular Updates During Your Cat’s Stay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n If you still find yourself worried about leaving your pet in the care of someone else, you can ask the cattery to send you regular updates on the cat’s experience. This will allow you to talk to staff about how your cat is coping in the accommodation or answer any questions they might have regarding your cat’s care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some facilities will even offer to send photos of your kitty enjoying its very own holiday away from home, which can ease the owner’s worries. If this is not stated on the facility’s website or mentioned during a discussion with staff, you can ask for this instead; the worst they can say is that they don’t offer that service, but many will be perfectly happy to accommodate your request.<\/p>\n\n\n
Common Questions Owners Ask When Leaving a Cat in a Cattery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Worrying about your cat and the care it will receive while you’re away is normal. Many owners will feel guilty about leaving the cat in a cattery, especially if this is the cat’s first stay in one, but this feeling is often unnecessary. To ease your worry, some of the most commonly asked questions have been provided below, as well as their answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Are Catteries Stressful for Cats?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Cats can become stressed when staying in catteries. These are animals of routine and prefer to be in familiar environments, and many will be territorial of their space. The additional scents, sights, and sounds of a cattery can cause the cats to become anxious, but there are ways to minimise this stress, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nPutting items from home in the cat’s accommodation unit to surround it with familiar scents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Getting the cat accustomed to catteries from a young age if you plan on using them regularly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nIs It Cruel to Put Cats in a Cattery?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Although some catteries offer a lower standard of care, many establishments provide cats with everything they could ever need or want, which cannot be described as “cruel.” It can go against a cat’s nature to be surrounded by other cats in an unfamiliar environment, which might make the experience unpleasant, but most catteries will cater to the animal’s needs as best as they can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Long is Too Long for the Cat?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n The length of time a cat can comfortably stay in a boarding establishment can depend on numerous factors, including the cat’s age and personality. The former is the most common aspect cat owners think about when leaving their pets. Adult cats often adjust to cattery life easily, especially if they have stayed there before. Putting an adult cat in a cattery for the first time might be slightly more stressful, but it will get used to the accommodation relatively quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, kitten owners asking, “Will my kitten be okay in a cattery for two weeks?” might need to select a different option. Although there are good catteries that will cater to a kitten’s needs, and kittens can go into catteries if they are vaccinated, very young cats might struggle to cope with the change of staying in a boarding facility. If your cat is still on the young side, you can discuss the level of care a cattery will offer to ensure you make the right choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are going away for a week or longer, a cattery is a good choice, as the facility is prepped to continue caring for your cat during this time. A cat sitter, neighbour, or family member might have a change of plans during your trip, which could affect the care and human company your cat receives. At least a cattery will have staff on hand to provide the cat with attention, food, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To Sum Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n There is a lot to prepare before boarding your pet cat, and this is why it is essential to start with plenty of time to spare. It is all worth it if you can ensure your cat will be well taken care of while you are away from home. The information provided in this article can help cat owners make that a reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if you have never used a cat hotel before or your cat is a regular visitor, the eight steps explained here can help to simplify the process. Not all cats love being in a cat boarding facility, but this is often a better method than cat sitters when you are away for a longer time. Of course, if you would prefer to use a professional cat sitter or home boarder, these options can be worth researching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next time you go away on holiday or need to decorate, at least you will have the knowledge and correct steps to follow if you need to book a cat boarding facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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